No new hospital promised: Solomons PM

The Prime Minister of Solomon Islands has denied claims by the opposition group that he promised more than US $47 million to build a new hospital in Malaita Province.

A Turkish company Nazaar group had earlier in the year made an offer to Prime Minister Sogavare to build a modern hospital facility for Malaita as well as a mini cannery and other investments.

But Manasseh Sogavare told the Solomon Star newspaper that no money was ever promised for a hospital project and his administration had rejected the proposal because it would have required patients to pay for medical treatment.

Mr Sogavare says his government is still committed to building a new hospital on Malaita but says its cost will not be known until the completion of the architectural design for the project.

The opposition group however says it is maintaining its call for the Prime Minister to avoid overseas investors who fail to deliver on their grand development promises.